There is no statutory requirement to teach MFL at key stages 1 and 2 but the government intends that, by 2010, every child in key stage 2 should be offered the opportunity to learn a foreign language.

Non-statutory guidelines intended for those primary schools that are teaching or planning to teach a modern foreign language can be found on the National curriculum online website (see right-hand menu). The guidelines are designed for use with children in years 5 and 6 but may be adapted for use with other year groups in primary schools.

Information about the national languages strategy can be downloaded from the DfES Languages site (see right-hand menu).